Post-war modernist gem to be auctioned in Napier

A superbly-preserved building epitomising the best of post-war modernist architecture will be auctioned by Bayleys Napier next month as part of their national Total Property portfolio campaign.

Affectionately referred to as the Red Cross Building, 138 Tennyson Street in the heart of Napier’s Art Deco Quarter was built in 1952 for the humanitarian organisation. From a design-perspective it successfully celebrates function and form – providing a refreshing departure from the overtly decorative Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture that characterises Napier in the wake of the 1931 earthquake.

Marketing agents Marnie Adams and Randall Wulff of Bayleys Auckland in conjunction with Eoin Carty, Bayleys Napier, are marketing this ‘gem of a building’ for its now Auckland-based owners, architect Stas Louca and designer Leslie Renfrew.

The British couple bought the Guy Natusch-designed Napier icon for their own use having been in New Zealand for two years. They immediately saw how special this building was and loved the area enough to make it home.

“It is a cleverly-designed building and we are still amazed that something like this can be found in New Zealand. It is an unusual building and it remains important to the people of Napier emotionally. We understand it was built with funds left over after the rebuild post-quake and the simple, imaginative concrete structure reflects the solidity and comfort that people were seeking,” says Renfrew.

“The budget at the time of the build two decades after the quake would have been large so it was a gift to the people of Hawke’s Bay – both as headquarters for the Red Cross and a place where the community could gather. Its reverence has not been lost over the years.”

The building has featured in numerous design journals and magazines plus is showcased in the recently-released book ‘Long Live the Modern – New Zealand’s New Architecture 1904-1984’ which examines how international design ideas were pursued and adapted to New Zealand concerns, climate and social conditions.

The 348.5sq m freehold building is on 541sq m of flat land opposite the Art Deco shop and the two-level Napier City Council car parking building and handy to the Municipal Theatre.

“Tennyson Street is one of Napier’s main feeder routes carrying a high volume of traffic to and from the city centre and forms the core of Napier’s Art Deco Quarter which is being considered for UNESCO World Heritage designation,” says Eoin Carty.

“Location-wise, this building has a lot in its favour as it enjoys significant foot traffic given the Art Deco Trust and shop across the road, the self-owned theatre lane alongside which leads to busy Emerson Street and the intentional boutique-style nature of the retail offerings on the street. The tourist Art Deco Walk is virtually a ‘must-do’ for visitors to Napier and this building – while not Art Deco by design or era – draws special attention from passers-by.”

The building has a distinctive frontage and is in two parts – a smaller space built to the street with a canopy out over the footpath and the hall/gallery area which is set back from the street. As documented in the afore-mentioned book, the facade of this comprises a regular grid of deeply recessed square windows with dark maroon ceramic tile reveals which, when contrasted against white painted brick, gives the illusion of white crosses on a dark background – the Red Cross logo in reverse.

The building will be sold with vacant possession but in recent times has been used as a gallery, performance hall, restaurant and offices. Native timber flooring, modern lighting and exceptional passive acoustics, climate control and generous licensing make it fit for multiple uses. Toilet facilities and main entry with wheelchair access make it fully user-inclusive and there are three outdoor courtyard areas.

“The interior has been simply and beautifully upgraded to create a glamorous, private and relaxed creative space. An opera singer visiting from San Francisco was recently completely fascinated by the quality of sound achievable in this building,” says Adams.

“It certainly has potential to be a quality artistic space or a function venue of national importance and we believe it to be unique amongst facilities currently on offer in the area and in New Zealand as a whole. Myriad usage possibilities include a performance space, wedding venue, restaurant or high-end retail space.”

The property is not listed on heritage registers and there is scope for more levels to be added with resource consent in place for a two-storey extension.

The current owners intended to set up an architectural/design practice and work out of the building but despite best attempts, their planned permanent move to Hawke’s Bay didn’t come to fruition. They had envisaged offices on the upper level providing the opportunity to retain the main floor as a venue, gallery and champagne bar all in context with the surrounding urban environment. 

138 Tennyson will be auctioned at Bayleys Napier on 12 March